WSE preserves the best of the west—wide open spaces, wildlife habitat, farm and ranching heritage—all while strengthening rural economies

Sustainable Stewardship

Since our inception in 1994, Western Sustainability Exchange has worked in partnership with ranchers to implement and monitor regenerative practices to achieve these goals. Over the years, WSE has discovered that sustainable ranching increases profits and simultaneously improves the health of grasslands and waterways.

By “sustainable land stewardship,” WSE means agricultural practices that accomplish three goals:

1. Profitability

The financial benefits are achieved by decreasing operating costs, increasing production capacity and improving livestock health. Generally, regenerative practices cut costs by reducing the need for synthetic chemicals, pharmaceuticals, fertilizers, and farm equipment. They also increase the productivity of rangelands, thus increasing the land’s carrying capacity for livestock and wildlife while improving livestock nutrition. Additionally, cattle raised without antibiotics or growth hormones can be marketed to the growing natural foods market, which often pays premiums over commodity prices. In a 2001 study, ranchers reported that sustainable management can increase profitability by 15 to 25 percent.

2. Environmental Health

These same practices also enhance the integrity of soil, water, and air and the quality of grasslands and stream areas. The health of these resources has lasting and positive impacts on the abundance and diversity of the organisms that depend upon them. Sustainable methods improve the health of “ecosystem processes,” such as the water cycle, mineral cycle, energy flow, and biodiversity.

3. Quality of Life

Regenerative agricultural practices oftentimes result in improved quality of life. The planning aspect of this approach identifies common goals and creates cooperation and efficiency among family members and employees. The economic benefits common with sustainable management also help producers keep their land in production rather than selling parcels to developers. This not only helps family ranchers stay in business, it also maintains vital open space essential for wildlife, recreation, and community well-being.

Regenerative Ranching Practices:

While it is not always possible to incorporate all practices at once, the methods suggested below are techniques producers can build into their operation whenever possible and appropriate. This is by no means a comprehensive list of practices.